The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-20
For Day They Live Over Again the Thrill
ing Experiences of the Battlefield and
the Pleasures Of Camp Life.
An Immense Crowd at the Campfire
Held in Masonic Hall Last Evening.
Mr.. Gideon B. Thompson's Interesting Recol-
lections of Incidents i'm the Regiments His
tory-Seventeenth Battery Reunion.

from the annual reunion held at Masonic Hall
yesterday. Their yearly gathering is an event
of more than ordinary interest in this city. for
the Eleventh particularly the pride of
Indianapolis people during the war.
and the city had a larger repre-
sentation in it's ranks than in any other
regiment A specially gratifying feature of the
gathering was the presence OF Gen. Lew Wal
lace who came up from Charlottesville early in
the day. accompanied by car load of friends
and veterans. The members of the regiment
spent the forenoon in talking over old times,
and at noon nearly 200 Of them, with many of
their friends sat down to most delectable
dinner served at Masonic Hall by their lady
friends
In the afternoon the association held bust
ness session, at which some routine business of
no public interest was transacted, and the fol-
lowing officers for next year were elected
President-N. r. Ruckle. of Indianapolis.
VicePresident-Dr Marley Mains, Seymour.
Secretary-W. J. Kercheva, indianapolis
Treasurer-Thos. H. Woods. Franklin.
Executive Committee-Major James X; Ross and
George w. Butler, Indianapolis and J. W. Bryan,
Terre Haute
General Fred Kneler was requested to prepare
for next year a paper showing the transfer OF
officers and soldiers of the Eleventh to other
regiments, and how they distinguished them-
.selvesL General McGinnis was formally asked
next reunion, and Colonel Ruckle was requested
to read paper on the battle Of Cedar Creek at
the same time.
II Masonic Hall had been one-third larger it
would not have accom- modated all the people
who desired to attend the camp fire last night.
As il was, q great many had to be turned away.
As early as 1880 o'clock every seat was taken.
except those reserved for the members of the
regiment, anu before the arrival of the regiment
In q body At 8 o'clock, standing room was at
premium. The members of the regiment, head
escorted
lace and Gen. Geo. T. McGinnis from the New
pensou Hotel to the hall. The comrades
remaining members of the association occupied
seats directly 10 front of the stage General
McGinnis presided, and after an overture by the
orchestra ard few remarks by him. he intro
duced Mayor Denny, who delivered a very ap-
proprlate welcome address. 1t was pleasure.
he said. to welcome to the city regiment that
had produced so many men or note The city
was proud OF the regiment. Its members had
nearly all been natives of Indianapolis had been
good citizens before the war, brave soldiers
during the war; and had shown themselve capa-
bic of attaining the highest citizenship since the
Following his address, 1.-The Battle Hymn
of the Republic was sung by Messrs j. e.
Blake, Walter Evans, DR.. Dan Thomson, DIR.
Emery Hoover, NJ. d. Butler. III. f. Sickles, A.
G. Jameson. and o. s. Weaver.
Mrs. s. L. Thompson. Mrs. W. f. Lynn, and
Messrs. S. j.. Morrison, and A. l.. Willard sang
.'Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" after which
Mr.. Gideon j. Thompson introduced and
read historical sketch of the regiment that
was received with marked evidences of interest
and appreciation.
In beginning his address, Mr.. Thompson ex-
planned that his endeavor had been collect
something that would give an idea of the serv-
icss of the regiment during the A peculi-
arity of the Eleventh REGIMENT both in the
three months campaign and in it's mature serv-
Ice, was the large number OF young men in its
ranks. This proved material advantage in
one respect, for, while hot biooded and i'm
pulsive. they were plastic, quick to learn and
sasily assimilated with the changed condition of
fnepz iln fh.xyxu in - yla tf1
they were nodded by a man who had already
taken advanced rank a commander of su-
PERI military organization, the wonderful
Charlottesville known throughout the State.
and which had quickened the dormant
military spirit until there were several compa-
MES of worth. Prominent among these were the
Greys of this city, and Shoups Zouaves
also beginning to lay some claim to distinction,
but their pin feathers were cut with the firing of
lhe FIRST gun on Sumter by the cowardly and
sraitorous conduct of the captain, who accepted
the presents bestowed on him by the company
and fed to the South, bearing letter of intro
iuction from Senator of Indiana. giving him a
= warm personal Endorsement While wish
ing to detract from the loyal sentiment of those
Did zouaves. of whom he one, the speaker
laid the confession might as we'll follow that not
few of the boys were impeled to rally around
ihe Wallace banner as much with the hope of a
shot at Shoup they were to defend tho
nations honor.
The Eleventh was among the first to obey the
sal! of President Lincoln to arms. II was mus
tered into the three months service on the 25th
of April, 1861 less than two weeks after the war
had begun. and its camp was changed from In
annapolis to Evansville, where 1t lnterfered
with the shipment of contraband goods south.
but the time was more occupied in ocling the
ladies and raidine choice gardens On the 7th
Of June 10 was transferred to Cumberland, Md,
and Immediately made raid on Romney. Va,
marching all night to reach its objective point
and arriving in time to exchange few stray
Cling shots with the enemy, in which the only
casualty the Union side was the carrying
away Of suspender buckle from Orderly Ser
geant Moses Grooms by spent bail. Grooms
was the idol Of the regiment in consequence. On
the 26th OF this same month a scouting party of
thirteen mon, under command Of Corporal
Dave Hays, of Company A, over
took fortv.one mounted rebels and gave
battle. killing eight. chasing the detachment
two miles and capturing number of horses.
While returning to camp after the pursuit In
turn they were attacked by q large force OF the
enemy, and there was n running and DESPERATE
fight, in which Corporal Hays and f. p Thomas.
Of Company Is, were wounded and J. G. Hollen-
beck of Company b, was shot down and after
ward killed outright The loss to the attacking
force great 1t was the first time the reg-
ment had been given a chance to show its
metal. and the result electrified the country.
and impelled Gen. George B. Mcclellan. of the
Eastern army. to send message that the Eiev-
entn Indiana stood in need OF reinforce
ments at Cumberland. The service in Virginia
carried the regiment to several points. but ar
Harpers Ferry. on the 9th OF July, 1t received
orders to return home and it was mustered ont
IN the I'd OF August Even in this limited SER
vice the regiment earned reputation for. sol
1ieriy qualities, ana In the Organization OF
troops for the long aud desperate struggle
which was to follow. there de-
nand for it's officers in other lines OF duty.
the Eleventh WAS reorganiZed and mustered
Tor the three years service the 3lst OF August
1861, being then in camp on the banks of White
river three miles northwest of this city. The
regiment then commanded by Wallace with
George F. McGinnis as Northumberland, w.
'. II. Robinson major, and Dan Macauley adju-
amt. Shortly afterwards Wallace was promoted
10 brigader-general, Mc,5innis and Robinson
we're respectively advanced. and Captain Elston,
Of Company ], was made major. Throughout
he fail and winter months. until February, the |
regiment was subjected to incessant drilling. so
much so that details for fatigue duty and the |
picket line were blessings in disguise. There |
Vas dress parade at sun-up. guard mounting
samp-cleanine and general detail until o'clock
and company drill until the noon hour. In the |
Afternoon regimental drill. with frenuentlv the |